Chapter 2

2

Sia froze. "Me? I... I can't..."

I challenged her. "Why not? It's just a small favor, right? It shouldn't matter who does it. Mr. Zane is your savior, after all."

Sia waved her hands frantically. "No, I can't do it. It's impossible."

"Mom, if you don't want to help, just say so. It's fine. I won't blame you for being ungrateful, but don't try to push this onto me."

Most people with a savior complex sacrifice themselves for others. Sia's version was sacrificing me for others.

She had a hundred reasons to guilt-trip me into doing things. But the moment it was her turn, she had a hundred excuses to back out.

Since she was a child, she had been comfortable sacrificing my well-being for the sake of others.

"Dad works so hard at the office, Mom. Don't make things difficult for him. You're better at chores, so just do them all."

"It's normal for Dad to have female colleagues. Having dinner with them is fine. You need to be more open-minded, Mom."

"Grandma just thinks you're lazy. It's not that she dislikes you. You have to forgive her for being blunt."

These twisted ideas were rooted deep in her mind, thanks to Grant and his mother.

In my last life, I exhausted myself trying to give her a proper moral compass despite everyone's criticism. In the end, I just ended up dead.

In this life, I won't indulge her anymore.

I smiled and asked, "What is the favor, exactly? If you can't do it, then I certainly can't."

Sia stuttered, unable to find the words.

I continued, "I believe in you, Sia. You're so amazing. Surely you can do this for your savior. Don't you think so, Mr. Driver?"

The driver chuckled. "That makes sense. Kid, you should pay back your own debts."

As Sia grew more flustered and guilty, my smile widened.

"Driver, change of plans. Take us to Central Hospital."

We arrived quickly. I grabbed Sia by the arm and marched her straight to Zane's ward.

In front of everyone, I pointed at her. "She wants to donate her kidney."

The room was filled with doctors, nurses, and other patients.

They were stunned. "Young lady, you are so brave. But this isn't a small thing. You'll live the rest of your life with only one kidney."

Zane began to cry tears of joy. "Thank you, Sia. I knew you were a good girl..."

Sia tried to speak, but I cut her off. "She says Mr. Zane was so good to her that she has to repay him. I couldn't stop her if I tried."

The doctor nodded. "That's a noble spirit. We need to check for a match. Let's take her for testing right now."

Sia violently yanked her hand away from mine. "No! No! I'm not testing! I'm not giving up my kidney!"

"I have my whole life ahead of me! I can't live with one kidney! I'll die early! I don't want to die!"

Oh, so she didn't want to die? Did she think I did?

I pulled her back and used her own logic against her.

"Sia, you just promised. How can you run away now?"

"You said he was so good to you. He got you into that school, bought your stuff, and made you breakfast. Have you forgotten?"

"You said you weren't ungrateful. It's just a small favor, right? You said you'd definitely help."

Sia's eyes went wide. "I never said that! You're lying! I was talking about you helping him!"

I shook my head and sighed with disappointment. "Oh, Sia. If you don't want to help, just say so. It's fine."

"I won't blame you for being ungrateful or for backing out. But please, don't try to make this my responsibility."

The onlookers began to whisper. "Kids these days love to talk big until it's time to actually do something."

Sia struggled desperately. "No! I won't do it!"

Zane got frantic. "Sia, have you forgotten everything I did for you!?"

Sia screamed at him. "You did nothing but act out of guilt!"

"Everyone in the neighborhood knows you're a bachelor because you beat your wife to death! Your own daughter took her own life because of you!"

"You only treated me well because you saw me as her! You're a freaking murderer!"

Zane's face went pale.

I smirked. "So, you knew all along."